So many of us — faculty, librarians, academic professionals–know students facing a financial crisis that threatens their ability to stay in school. An unforeseen car repair that means they can’t pay that month’s rent; a parent loses their job and is now unable to help with the bills; stretched finances means that they have to choose between paying tuition and keeping their stomachs full enough to do their schoolwork well.
How can we help students weather these crises? Temple’s own Prof. Sara Goldrick-Rab has come up with one way–the Faculty and Students Together (or FAST) Fund. She has established chapters across the country, and she has honored TAUP by selecting us to administer the FAST Fund at Temple.
Since its founding two years ago, the FAST Fund at Temple has helped more than 30 students with grants of approximately $500. Their stories are harrowing: a student cast out by his family after coming out; another whose mother was rendered unable to help with expenses when she was laid off during the government shutdown; many students who struggle to get by while having to work jobs that just don’t pay enough or whose financial aid packages are insufficient.
However, for us to keep doing this great work, the FAST Fund needs funds. We have had a couple of very generous donors who have given thousands of dollars in addition to the seed money provided by Prof. Goldrick-Rab. But to make sure that the Fund continues to help students, we need to broaden our base of support. So we appeal to you to help the students we teach, guide, and advise. The amount of these grants may not be large, but we know that they make the difference between a student staying at Temple or withdrawing for the semester or perhaps for good.
Please donate here, and, when you donate, please mention Temple in the space for comments so that the donation will make its way to our particular fund.
Thank you!